Detroit Cass Tech’s basketball team is set to play in its first division one final since 1974 thanks to a thrilling overtime victory against Grand Blanc. The Technicians had to go through a rigorous semifinal match to reach the finals, and they had a standout performer in Darius Acuff, a talented sophomore. Acuff was held in check by Grand Blanc’s defense for the most considerable part of the second half. However, the 6-foot-2 guard came up clutch when it mattered most, using a three-pointer to force overtime and then scoring four points in the extra period to help lift his team to a thrilling 62-56 win.
Cass Tech will play Muskegon on the championship day, a fixture made possible by the tenacity and togetherness of the Cass Tech players, who are determined to make history. Cass Tech’s head coach, Steven Hall, has previously led Detroit Rogers to three consecutive class-D titles from 2003-05. Speaking about his current team, he said, “We have some gamers on this team, and we don’t practice to my liking a lot of times; however, when those lights come on, I can count on them.”
The game was a back-and-forth affair as Cass Tech took an early lead before Grand Blanc closed the gap. The Bobcats eventually took the lead midway through the third quarter, thanks to junior Anthony Perdue, who made an offensive rebound and put-back. While Cass Tech has been accustomed to tight games, the Bobcats fell short due to a rash of turnovers, which amounted to 18 in the game. Cass Tech, on the other hand, only produced nine turnovers, a testament to their poise and ball control.
Overall, Cass Tech had a game-high 19 points, five assists, and three steals from Acuff, while Grand Blanc’s senior Tae Boyd led his team with 16 points and ten rebounds. The guards from both sides showed great skill, with Cass Tech’s freshman Corey Sadler Jr. adding 14 points, and senior Kenneth Robertson contributing 15 points.
The atmosphere in the Cass Tech camp is electric. The victory is a first for Coach Steven Hall, who had earlier watched the Semifinals painfully on the sideline last year. Cass Tech’s last appearance in a final was in 1974, when their run ended as Class A runner-up. Cass Tech has defied all odds in this year’s tournament and will be eager to lift the championship trophy come the championship day.
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Ref: Cass Tech ‘Gamers’ Force OT, Finish Surge to Reach 1st Final Since 1974 – MHSAA